City Research Online

Abstract

Background: There is a growing body of studies which investigate noise levels in the ICU but few report sound levels longitudinally, in multiple locations and none report data from a mix of single and multiple patient rooms; the common configuration of UK units. There is currently no study that provides a robust description of the noise sources in an ICU or describes sound from the perspective of service users.

Aim: To identify the soundscape of an ICU, utilising a variety of novel research methodologies.

Methods: Preliminary testing provided an understanding of the environment to be studied and piloted a device to collect distributed sound measurements. Three further studies are described. The first utilised the NPL-Minim to collect continuous sound pressure levels from four bed spaces across the GICU. The second, utilised a novel ‘Sound in Time’ methodology to collect 50hours of observational data to understand the sources of sound originating from these bed spaces. Lastly, sound diaries were completed by 10 each of patients, visitors and nursing staff.

Results: The preliminary study identified the feasibility of, and provided essential parameters to inform a distributed sound measurement study. Following this a total of 271 days of continuous data was successfully measured, which demonstrated an LAeq271days of 65.4dB, with little variation between day and night. Observational study identified 16784 episodes of disturbance. During the day speech communication was the most common source of sound; at night, alarms became the most prevalent. Patients, visitors and nurses described similar sound sources; however, the individual groups characterised the sources differently.

Conclusion: A variety of methodological techniques, enabled the sound characterisation of an ICU. Concurrent observational and quantitative data collection enabled detailed analysis of the sound environment. Data from the sound diaries will facilitate future study of the perception of sound in this complex clinical environment.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare R Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RT Nursing
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Nursing & Midwifery School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

Export

Downloads